Floor polisher support

ABSTRACT

A vertical axis floor treating machine and support attachment are disclosed. The machine includes a housing to which the attachment is clamped. The attachment includes a frame having a slide thereon. The frame and slide define an aperture for receipt of the housing. Clamps secure the attachment to the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to floor treating machines and more particularlyto vertical axis machines for working a cleaning agent into a carpetedfloor surface.

Heretofore, various processes have been employed for cleaning carpetedfloor surfaces. These processes have used liquid cleaning solutions anddry cleaning compositions. The dry compositions, while typicallycontaining large amounts of liquid such as water and organic solvents,are basically in a powder form. Dry powder cleaning methods possesscertain inherent advantages over the wet cleaning methods. The wetmethods have certain drawbacks since the solution may damage the carpetfibers or cause shrinkage of the carpet material if improperly applied.The apparatus used with wet processes has generally been bulky andcumbersome. Such apparatus, for example, may include a vacuum source, asolution supply tank, a solution collection tank and a hand-held wand.The hand-held wand may include agitator brushes, one or more sprayingnozzles and a suction nozzle to remove the soiled solution from thecarpet surface.

With dry powder cleaning processes, the moist coherent cleaningcomposition is applied over the carpet surface and agitated or workedinto the surface. After the powder is brought into contact with thecarpet fiber, the powder and removed dirt is lifted from the floorsurface by application of a vacuum. As stated above, cleaning powderstypically contain a liquid such as water, organic solution or othersolvent. The liquid content of the powders can affect theirspreadability since the powders tend to agglomerate or pack together.Examples of such coherent cleaning powders may be found in U.S. Pat. No.3,418,243 to Hoxie, entitled ART OF CLEANING CARPETS and issued on Dec.24, 1968, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,594 to Froehlich, entitled POWDEREDCLEANING COMPOSITION OF UREA-FORMALDEHYDE and issued on Mar. 22, 1977.

Various types of equipment have been developed for distributing andworking cleaning powders into a carpeted surface. Examples of suchspecially developed machines may be found in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 921,194, filed July 3, 1978, in the name ofBessinger and entitled CARPET CLEANING MACHINE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,662to Dana, entitled FEEDER FOR COHERENT PARTICULATE MATERIAL and issued onApr. 26, 1977; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,590 to Brown, entitled DEVICE FORSCRUBBING CARPET and issued on Feb. 6, 1979.

As an alternative, the dry powder compositions may be spread on a carpetsurface and then worked into the surface with a vertical axis floortreating machine of the floor polisher type. Once the composition isworked into the surface, a conventional vacuum cleaner can be used toremove the cleaning composition from the carpet. When cleaning floorsurfaces in this manner, an applicator such as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 3,289,240 to VanderVeer et al, entitled DRY RUB SHAMPOO APPLICATORand issued on Dec. 6, 1966, may be used. The applicator disclosed inthis patent basically includes a housing defining a hopper and a pair ofrollers having resilient coverings. The rollers dispense the dry powderonto the carpet surface when the applicator is pushed over the surface.

Vertical axis machines having a brush attached thereto may then be usedto work the powder into the carpet. It has been found that the entireweight of the machine cannot be supported on the brushes for properoperation. If the entire weight is supported on the brushes, damage tothe carpet surface can result. Also, excessive loads could be placed onthe motor of the polisher and control problems could be experienced. Asa result, it has been proposed to support the weight of the verticalaxis machine on wheels or casters or to use a separate attachmentsupport or cradle. The attachment, when secured to the floor polisher,supports most of the weight of the machine. The attachment also controlsbrush aggressiveness. A drawback of using vertical axis machine andprior supports relates to a lack of confinement of the powder. Therotating brush can "throw" the powder over the carpet. Examples of suchattachments or vertical axis floor machine supports may be found in U.S.Pat. No. 2,640,211 to Petersen, entitled RUG SCRUBBING MACHINE andissued on June 2, 1953; U.S. Pat. No. 3,452,380 to Walther, entitledCASTER ASSEMBLY FOR A CONVERTIBLE FLOOR CLEANING MACHINE and issued onJuly 1, 1969; U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,419 to Okun, entitled TOOL FOR FLOORTREATING MACHINE and issued on Aug. 20, 1968; and U.S. Pat. No.4,186,459 to Wulff, entitled CARPET BRUSH ATTACHMENT FOR A FLOORTREATING MACHINE and issued on Feb. 5, 1980.

A need exists for a vertical axis machine and support attachment whichis durable in use, readily attachable and detachable, confines thepowder to a given area and which is relatively easy to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a unique support attachmentfor a vertical axis, rotary floor machine is provided. Essentially, thesupport attachment includes a rigid, generally planar frame having acentrally located aperture dimensioned to receive the floor treatingelement. A shoe or slide member is secured to the under surface of theframe. A plurality of attachment or clamp means are mounted on the framefor readily attaching and detaching the frame to the floor machine.

In use, a vertical axis floor treating element having a plurality ofbrush segments secured thereto in a generally rectangular array isattached to a conventional floor polisher or vertical axis machine. Themachine is disposed within the central aperture of the supportattachment and the attachment is clamped to the machine. Substantiallythe entire weight of the machine is then supported by the attachment andthe machine may be pushed over the floor surface. The attachmentfunctions to contain the dry powder within the periphery of the verticalaxis machine. The brush element works the powder into intimate contactwith the carpet fibers. After the working operation, the powder may beremoved from the carpet with a conventional vacuum cleaner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side, perspective view of a vertical axis machine andsupport in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top, plan view of the support attachment; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line IV--IV ofFIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a vertical axis floortreating machine generally designated 10. Machine 10 includes a housing12 having a drive motor 14 secured thereto. An operator control handle16 is pivotally mounted to the housing 12. A pair of transport wheels 18are secured to the rear of the housing. Clamped to the periphery ofhousing 12 is a support attachment or carriage assembly generallydesignated 20. Motor 14 rotates a vertical axis floor treating elementgenerally designated 22. Element 22, as seen in FIG. 2, includes agenerally circular brush support plate 24 which is secured to the outputshaft of motor 14 by a locking adapter 26. A plurality of brush segments28 are secured to support plate 24. In the preferred embodiment, brushsegments 28 each include a base plate 30 fastened to plate 24 and aplurality of rows of bristles 32. Each brush segment is generallyrectangular with an angled edge 34. In the preferred construction, foursegments are secured to plate 24 in a generally rectangular, overlappingarray. This is clearly shown in FIG. 2. The brush element scrubs orworks a dry powder cleaning composition into a carpeted floor surface.

As stated previously, the weight of floor polisher or vertical axismachine 10 cannot be supported entirely on the brush. To do so couldoverload the motor, cause damage to the carpet fibers and presentcontrol problems to the operator. Support or slide carriage 20 inaccordance with the present invention supports the weight of the machineon the floor and thereby controls the aggressiveness of the brushelements on the carpet. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, support 20includes a main frame 50. Frame 50 is preferably a cast, rigid,generally rectangular and planar member which defines a central,circular aperture 52. Frame 50 has a top surface 54 and a bottom surface56. Top surface 54 defines an annular shoulder 58 around the peripheryof central aperture 52 (FIG. 4). Secured to the periphery or outer wall60 of frame 50 is a resilient bumper strip 62. As best seen in FIGS. 2and 4, a shoe or slide member 64 is secured to the under surface 56 ofmain frame 50. Shoe 64 has a similar planar configuration to frame 50and also defines a central aperture 65. Slide 64 is fastened to undersurface 56 of frame 50 by a plurality of screw fasteners 78 equallyspaced around the periphery of aperture 66. Apertures 52, 66 of supportattachment 20 are dimensioned to receive the circular-shaped housing 12of the vertical axis machine. The thickness or vertical height dimensionof the support is such that vertical floor treating element 22 issupported above the floor surface with bristles 32 in controlled workingcontact with the carpet.

As seen in FIG. 1, attachment 20 is clamped to housing 12 of thevertical axis machine by a plurality of attachment or clamp meansgenerally designated 82. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, clamp means 82are spaced equally around the periphery of central aperture 52 indiagonal relationship at the corners of main frame 50. Main frame 50 ateach corner defines a recess 84. Extending vertically through eachrecess is a bolt 86. A head 88 of the bolt engages the slide 64 andpasses upwardly through an aperture 90 in frame 50. Bolt 86 is held inposition by a nut 92. A clamp member 94 has an aperture 96 through whichbolt 86 extends. Clamp member 94 is an elongated member having a forwardend 196 which extends over shoulder 58 of aperture 52 (FIG. 4). A lockknob or member 98 has a central aperture 100 which is internallythreaded. Member 98 is threaded onto bolt 86 and covered by a suitabledecorative, vinyl cover 102. Member 98 clamps or sandwiches member 94 toupper surface 54 of frame 50.

As seen in FIG. 3, the rear of frame 50 and slide 64 includetransversely spaced recesses 108, 110. As seen in FIG. 2, recesses 108,110 accommodate the transport wheels 18 carried by the vertical axismachine housing 12.

In the preferred construction, main frame 50 is fabricated from analuminum alloy by a conventional sand casting process. The casting isthen sand blasted, and the surface is finished. The frame is, therefore,a rigid member. The shoe or slide member 64 of the carriage assembly orsupport is preferably fabricated from a lubricious plastic material suchas polyvinyl chloride. One suitable polyvinyl chloride has a specificgravity in the range of 1.28 to 1.58, to tensile strength of 5000 to8000 psi and an elongation of 100 to 140 percent. The shoe 64 has athickness of approximately 0.25 inches and central aperture 66 has adiameter of approximately 12 inches. The main frame has an overallvertical height of approximately 0.94 inches and a thickness at shoulder58 of approximately 0.25 inches. Central aperture 52 of frame 50 alsohas a 12 inch diameter. The diameter of the inner peripheral sidewall orthe total diameter of shoulder 58 is approximately 12.50 inches.

Each brush segment is preferably fabricated with a high densitypolyethylene base plate 30. The bristles are arranged in rows on thebase plate 30. The bristles are preferably 0.012 diameter nylon bristleswith tipped ends. The bristles are positioned in tufts with 160 bristlesper tuft and 69 tufts per brush segment.

In use, knobs 98 of each of clamp means 82 would be released so thatclamp members 94 may be pivoted or rotated to the side of aperture 52.Housing 12 is then placed on the frame with the brush element within theconfines of the aperture (FIG. 2). Clamp members 94 are then moved intoengagement with the periphery of housing 12, as seen in FIG. 1, andknobs 98 are tightened to clamp the attachment to the machine. Thevertical axis machine may then be operated in a conventional fashionmoving over the dry powder dispensed on the carpet. Due to thedimensioning of the attachment 20 and the fact that it surrounds thebrush element, the powder agitated and worked into the carpet surface bythe brush is maintained essentially within the confines of theattachment 20. The weight of the machine is supported on the floor bythe attachment 20. The plastic slide or shoe 64 insures that the machinemay be easily moved over the carpeted surface. The brush segment 28 withtheir rectangular configuration and rectangular positioning efficientlyand effectively scrub and work the dry powder into the carpet fibers.After the powder has been worked into the carpet surface, the powder anddirt is easily removed with a conventional vacuum cleaner.

It should now be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artthat the support attachment or carriage assembly 20 in accordance withthe present invention, in combination with a vertical axis machine,provides an effective means for working a dry powder cleaningcomposition into intimate contact with carpet fibers. The attachment 20permits the machine to be easily moved over the surface of the carpetwithout interfering with or snagging of the carpet fibers. Theaggressiveness of the brush element is controlled to insure optimumscrubbing action. The attachment 20 is easily and readily manufacturedemploying conventional techniques. The clamp means 82 and theirpositioning around the frame 50 insures that the attachment may bereadily and quickly secured to and removed from the conventional floorpolishing machine. The frame structure, since it extends around theperiphery of the vertical axis floor treating element, serves to confineor contain the powder within the outer periphery of the machineattachment combination.

In view of the foregoing description, various modifications to thepresent invention might become apparent which would not depart from theinventive concepts disclosed herein. It is therefore expressly intendedthat the above description should be considered as that of the preferredembodiment. The true spirit and scope of the present invention may bedetermined by reference to the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A support attachment fora vertical axis, rotary floor machine of the type having a housing, avertical axis floor treating element rotatably supported by said housingand a drive for rotating the element, said support attachmentcomprising:a rigid generally planar frame having a centrally locatedaperture dimensioned to receive the floor treating element; a shoehaving the same general configuration as said frame; means for attachingsaid shoe to said frame; and a plurality of attachment means on saidframe positioned around said aperture for releasably attaching saidframe to the housing of the floor machine, said frame and said shoedimensioned so that the weight of the machine will be supported on theattachment and the floor treating element will be confined within theframe and shoe.
 2. A support attachment as defined by claim 1 whereineach of said attachment means comprises:a generally planar clamp; andholding means for securing said clamp in a fixed position on said frameso as to clamp the machine housing to the frame.
 3. A support attachmentas defined by claim 2 wherein said holding means comprises:a fastenersecured to said frame and extending through said frame and an aperturedefined by said clamp; and a knob threaded to the free end of saidfastener above said clamp.
 4. A support attachment as defined by claim 3wherein said shoe is formed from a smooth, rigid, plastic material toreduce the friction between the attachment and a carpeted floor surface.5. A vertical axis floor treating machine adapted for working a drypowder cleaning composition into a carpeted floor, said machinecomprising:a generally planar support frame having an upper surface, alower surface and a generally centrally positioned aperture; a slide onthe under surface of said support frame, said slide having the samegeneral configuration as said support frame and also having a generallycentrally positioned aperture; a housing; clamp means on said frame forreleasably clamping said frame to said housing; a vertical axis floortreating element dimensioned to be positioned within said aperture, saidelement having a plurality of brushes thereon; and drive means on saidhousing for rotating said element about a vertical axis.
 6. A verticalaxis floor treating machine as defined by claim 5 wherein said clampmeans comprises:a generally planar member; and holding means forsecuring said member in a fixed position on said frame so that saidmember clamps the housing to the frame.
 7. A vertical axis floortreating machine as defined by claim 6 wherein said holding meanscomprises:a fastener secured to said frame and extending through saidframe and an aperture defined by said member; and a knob threaded to thefree end of said fastener above said planar member.
 8. A vertical axisfloor treating machine as defined by claim 7 wherein said slide memberis formed from a smooth, rigid, plastic material to permit the machineto move easily over the carpeted floor.
 9. A vertical axis floortreating machine as defined by claim 8 wherein said rigid, plasticmaterial is polyvinyl chloride.
 10. A vertical axis floor treatingmachine as defined by claim 8 wherein said vertical axis floor treatingelement comprises:a brush mounting plate; and a plurality of said brushsegments secured to said plate deposed in a generally rectangular openpattern about a central rotary axis of said plate, said segments formingan edge of the rectangular pattern extending beyond an adjacentorthogonal edge of the rectangular pattern to the perimeter region ofsaid plate.
 11. A vertical axis floor treating machine as defined byclaim 7 wherein said vertical axis floor treating element comprises:abrush mounting plate; and a plurality of said brush segments secured tosaid plate deposed in a generally rectangular open pattern about acentral rotary axis of said plate, said segments forming an edge of therectangular pattern extending beyond an adjacent orthogonal edge of therectangular pattern to the perimeter region of said plate.
 12. Avertical axis floor treating machine as defined by claim 5 wherein saidvertical axis floor treating element comprises:a brush mounting plate;and a plurality of brush segments secured to said plate deposed in agenerally rectangular open pattern about a central rotary axis of saidplate, said segments forming an edge of the rectangular patternextending beyond an adjacent orthogonal edge of the rectangular patternto the perimeter region of said plate.
 13. A vertical axis machineadapted for working a dry powder cleaning composition into a carpetedfloor, said machine comprising:a generally planar support frame havingan upper surface, a lower surface, and a generally centrally positionedcircular aperture; a slide on the under surface of said support frame,said slide having the same general configuration as said support frameand also having a generally centrally positioned aperture, said slidebeing formed from a smooth rigid polyvinyl chloride plastic to permitthe machine to move easily over the carpeted floor; a housing; a clampmeans including a generally planar member and means for holding saidmember in a fixed position on said frame for releasably clamping saidframe to said housing, said means for holding said member including afastener extending through said frame and an aperture defined by saidmember, and a knob threaded on said fastener with the member betweensaid knob and said frame; a vertical axis floor treating elementdimensioned to be positioned within said apertures of said frame andslide, said element having a plurality of brushes thereon; and drivemeans on said housing for rotating said element about a vertical axis.14. A vertical axis floor treating machine as defined by claim 13wherein said vertical axis floor treating element comprises:a brushmounting plate; and a plurality of said brush segments secured to saidplate in a generally rectangular pattern about a central rotary axis ofsaid plate.